Contributions to the tribute of Mrs. Barbara Johnson

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Sunday, March 30, 2025

“The Johnsons” (Mr. & Mrs.) were a presence in my life, from childhood to young adulthood. Barb & Murray were long time friends, travel companions, dinner dates & concert mates of my parents, Bob & Cathy Duncan, which meant that my brother Paul & I were lucky to grow up with them, Lesley, Heather and Ken, as part of our lives. For all my many memories of Mrs. Johnson, her love & involvement with Wishing Well Players is at the top of the list! We enjoyed watching her in many plays and being able to chat with her in full costume & stage make up after each production was a thrill for young me! My favourite audience member memory was when Mrs. Johnson played a character that ended the play with a maniacal, shrill and devious cackle that seemed to come from her toes! (I don’t remember the name of the play, but Ken will!), From my child’s view, the “real life” Mrs. Johnson was always so sweet, encouraging and soft spoken that hearing that laugh come from her made me want to join a play and pretend to be someone different too! And so, when I was old enough, I joined Mrs. Johnson and my Dad as a member of Wishing Well Players. We had so much fun and again, Mrs. Johnson was so kind, encouraging and gave guidance to everyone in the group. I can still remember the feel of her reassuring shoulder pats! As with all live theatre, mix ups and mistakes would happen during a performance. Mrs. Johnson had a unique ability to enter the stage, in character and without showing any sign of being flustered, to make up lines and cue fellow actors to get everything back on track! Grace under pressure! These are just a few memories of Mrs Johnson: a person well loved and a life well lived. Anne (Duncan) Nakahara & Family

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Beth Henricks posted a condolence

Saturday, March 29, 2025

I first met Barb, in 1954, as a young 19-year-old living at Willard Hall, shortly after moving to Toronto. Barb was going out to sing at a concert with her friend Eleanor (Rhody). We later became lifelong friends through Trinity United Church’s Young Adults, a thriving group at the time, from which we formed many lifelong friendships. Both Barb and Eleanor were in the group and so too, our future husbands Murray and Norm. We all became very good friends and had many fun times. Our shared memories from our early times together are some of my most cherished. After a few years, while looking for a new home, we bumped into Barb and Murray also looking for a home for their growing family. As perhaps a sign of our lifelong friendship, we eventually purchased our second home on Ravencliff right across the street from Barb and Murray. As their children grew, it was an honour for us to be known as Auntie Beth and Uncle Norm. Our families loved Port Elgin and spent many summers there as the kids grew up. Later in life, we continued our deep friendship and many adventures including our trip to Scotland with them. As I remember Barb, I treasure the joy and laughter we shared throughout our lives. Her kindness and friendship will always be in my heart. To Leslie, Heather and Ken, know that her spirit lives on in the countless moments of joy and laughter we shared. Rest in peace, my dearest friend. Beth Henricks

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Catherine Duncan posted a condolence

Saturday, March 29, 2025

From the time I met Barb, 59 years ago, she was a special friend. We shared church activities, dinners, concerts, family events and travelling. There are so very many happy memories. We were kindred spirits. She will be missed.. Love Cathy

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Leah Rhody posted a condolence

Saturday, March 29, 2025

I have very fond memories of visiting Aunt Barb with my brother, Aidan Rhody and my father, Steve Rhody while growing up. I remember playing piano for her and eating tuna sandwiches where she would mix in small apple slices. I never had the chance to meet my grandmother, Eleanor Rhody, but knowing Aunt Barb, made me feel closer to my grandmother. Aunt Barb will be greatly missed. My condolences to the Johnson family

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Lori Manson posted a condolence

Friday, March 28, 2025

I met Barbara decades ago when we both belonged to the Wishing Well Players. We enjoyed many years together at practices and in the actual plays themselves. I have wonderful memories of Barbara. She was one of the kindest, most down to earth people I've ever met. When I was nervous about going on stage, she invariably pumped me up. She always looked to help others, both in the plays and in her daycare program, for which I very much admired her. She had a twinkle in her eye that I will never forget. She will be greatly missed by me and many others. My condolences to the Johnson family. Lori Manson

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Steve Rhody posted a condolence

Thursday, March 27, 2025

I will greatly miss Aunt Barb. Even though we're not related, my brothers and I always referred to Barb that way because, as she once said to me "your mother is the closest thing I have to a sister in this world!" Because she and my mother, Eleanor Rhody, were such good friends, Barb was a gentle presence in my life from the time I was very young. When I think of her, I will always remember her as the epitome of the gracious English-Canadian lady. She was kind and welcoming to people of all backgrounds. She was warm and nurturing towards children. She could also be practical, no nonsense and down-to-earth when she had to be, qualities that she needed in her profession as a primary specialist. Like my mom, Aunt Barb has passed on to me a culture and values that have allowed me to grow up to be Canadian. That is something of no small importance. My sympathies go out to Lesley, Heather and Ken, friends of the "Rhody boys" since childhood. "For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." I Cor. 13:12

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wendy Carveth posted a condolence

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

I treasure the decades of friendship with you, Barb. we shared the fun of "Sing, Play and Learn", with toddlers, the challenges of Wishing Well Players and the more recent catered dinner- theaters, weekly choir practice s and services, Saturday Nite Club productions, annual 'Grandmother Teas' and so much else, much of it shared with our husbands. I will also always remember our telephone chats and porch visits. You were a valued friend, Barb. Thank you, Wendy

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Joanne Scott posted a condolence

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Barb, (Mrs. Johnson back then) or "Lesley's mom", was such a special person. I met Lesley in grade 6, we quickly became friends and I was then blessed to experience the Johnson family for many years, especially the warmth that one would feel being around Barb. I cherish the times that Lesley and I would we working on a project together and Barb would always give us cookies and milk and encouragement. She exuded amazing primary teacher. Her roles in many plays were always a joy to watch. The fact that Lesley followed in her footsteps also becoming a kindergarten teacher is a testimony to a wonderful role model. Mrs. Johnson you will be missed. Joanne Scott

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Barbara McDermott posted a condolence

Saturday, March 8, 2025

I just want to say how very sorry I was to hear about your dear mom's passing. Barb was a GREAT, SPECIAL lady with so many talents. I met her and of course your family when I attended St. John's. Barb served on the outreach committee with me and was always thinking about how she could make the lives of others better. She put herself secondary. Her's was a life of service and giving. We both were primary educators so of course became instant "kindred spirits". Barb believed in me and with her unwavering encouragement I joined the Wishing Well Players Theatre Group. We had so much fun under Barb's skillful directorship. When Covid struck Ken graciously arranged for many "porch visits" where together Barb, Ken, myself and a dear friend Gail enjoyed a few laughs, reminisced and always shared a cup of tea and a cookie. Barb was truly an inspiration to me. Her kindness, her deep love for everything beautiful in this world (music, flowers, art, learning, travel) filled her soul with so much light and life. She will be sorely missed and I feel very privileged indeed to have been able to call her my friend. Love Barb McDermott

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The family of Mrs. Barbara Johnson uploaded a photo

Monday, March 3, 2025

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Velma Burley posted a condolence

Sunday, March 2, 2025

Barb was a wonderful sister to me. One of my first memories was visiting her kindergarten class before I was old enough for school. What fun it was singing and playing Farmer in the Dell as Barb accompanied us on the piano. I followed in Barb’s footsteps, taking piano lessons and becoming a kindergarten teacher. Barb was a huge help to me during my first year of teaching. I loved her style of teaching and incorporated many of her methods. After Barb retired from teaching, she and others from St. John’s U.C. provided a drop in program for preschoolers. It was a fantastic program which my granddaughter enjoyed so much. Sing, Play and Learn was a great preparation for Avery’s school years. I have so many special family memories of Barb, Murray, Lesley, Heather and Ken including celebrating all of our family birthdays at the Stoodleigh restaurant, experiencing cottage life with them at Port Elgin and participating in the Wishing Well Players together. Barb was so supportive of me when my mother died so unexpectedly when I was 29. She was the best big sister there ever could be. I loved her so much. In loving memory, Velma